The Psalms

Psalm 40

The benefit of confidence in God, 1-5. Obedience is the best sacrifice, 6-10. The sense of David's evils inflames his prayer, 11-17.

1 [To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.]

I waited patiently for the LORD,/
and he inclined to me and heard my cry.

2  He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay,/
and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings.

3  And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God./
Many shall see it and fear/
and trust in the LORD.

4  Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust/
and does not respect the proud, nor those who turn aside to lies.

5  Many, O LORD, my God, are your wonderful works which you have done/
and your thoughts which are toward us./
They cannot be reckoned up in order to you./
If I would declare and speak of them,/
they are more than can be numbered.

6  Sacrifice and offering you did not desire./
You have opened my ears./
Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required.

7  Then I said, "Behold, I come./
In the volume of the book it is written of me.

8  I delight to do your will, O my God./
Your law is even within my heart."

9  I have preached righteousness in the great congregation./
Behold, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, as you know.

10 I have not hid your righteousness within my heart./
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation./
I have not concealed your loving-kindness and your truth from the great congregation.

11 Do not withhold your tender mercies from me, O LORD./
Let your loving-kindness and your truth continually preserve me.

12 For innumerable evils have encompassed me./
My iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up./
They are more than the hairs of my head;/
therefore, my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me./
O LORD, make haste to help me.

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together/
who seek after my soul to destroy it./
Let them be driven backward and put to shame/
who wish me evil.

15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame/
who say to me, "Aha, aha."

16 Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you./
Let those who love your salvation say continually, "May the LORD be magnified."

17 But I am poor and needy,/
yet the Lord thinks upon me./
You are my help and my deliverer./
Make no delay, O my God.

Commentary

Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 40[➚]

Notes

John Calvin's Chapter Summary:

David, being delivered from some great danger, and it may be, not from one only, but from many, extols very highly the grace of God, and by means of this, his soul is filled with admiration of the providence of God, which extends itself to the whole human race. Then he protests that he will give himself wholly to the service of God, and defines briefly in what manner God is to be served and honored. Afterwards, he again returns to the exercise of thanksgiving, and celebrates the praises of the Eternal by rehearsing many of his glorious and powerful deeds. Lastly, when he has complained of his enemies, he concludes the psalm with a new prayer.

[v.6] - Quoted in Hebrews 10:5-6, 8.

[v.7] - Quoted in Hebrews 10:7, 9.

[v.8] - Quoted in Hebrews 10:7, 9.

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